CT-guided pericardial drainage catheter placement with subsequent pericardial sclerosis.

Percutaneous drainage of malignant pericardial effusion is an established alternative to surgical pericardiotomy and pericardiectomy. We report the placement of a pericardial drainage catheter under CT guidance, with subsequent pericardial sclerosis. Previously described imaging modalities (fluoroscopy and ultrasound) used for the guidance of drain placement are compared and contrasted with our use of CT.